Rope coupler



United States Patent 3,205,545 i ROPE COUPLER i Edmund M. Ring, 5218 Washburn Ave. N.,

Minneapolis, Minn. l Filed Apr. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 274,988 1 Claim. (Cl. 24-115) My invention relates generally to manually operated devices for releasing two lines and is particularly adaptable for use in quickly releasing a water ski tow rope from a toning poweroperated boat', in emergency situations.

'Ibe primary object of my invention is the provision of an extremely simple but highly efiicient and foolproof device ofthe class above described which can be operated by any one, with but a minimum of instruction, to instantaneously release a ski tow rope or the like.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which incorporates a minimum of working parts and is foolproof in its operation.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is inexpensive to produce and is rugged in construction.

A still further object of my invention is the provisionof a device of the class described which is relatively compact in size, light in weight, and is easy to attach to the transom of a boat.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed speci iication, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in rear elevation of my novel device shown in its inoperative position;

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. l, the full lines thereof showing the operative position; and

FIG. 3 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring with greater particular-ity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a mounting bracket which, as shown, is generally channel-shaped, the rear wall thereof being identified by 2 and the laterally spaced opposite side walls by 3. The rear wall 2 is provided with screw-threaded bosses 4 adapted to receive anchoring 'bolts 5 for securing same to the transom or the like 6 of a boat A. Walls 2, 3 cooperate to define a vertically elongated channel 7 which opens rearwardly, said opening being identified generally by 8.

Adjacent the lower end of the channel 7 the opening 8 is partially closed by a pair of opposed lips 9 which are spaced apart to define a narrow mouth 10. Preferably, and as shown, the lips 9 project downwardly and rearwardly to define arcuate abutments 9a, the function of which will hereinafter become apparent.

A generally upright lever 11 is formed adjacent its lower end to define a rearwardly projecting hook 12 for the reception of the looped rear end 13 of a tow line'lg As shown, the lower end portion of the lever 11, immediately adjacent the hook 12, is pivotally secured intermediate the side walls 3 of the bracket 1 through the medium of a pivot pin 15 fast on the lever 11 and having its opposite ends journalled in side walls 3. It will be noted that the pivot pin 15 is so positioned with respect to the lips 9 and abutments 9a formed thereby as to provide a transverse opening 16 for the bight portion 17 of the loop 13 on the hook 12, when the lever 11 is in the operative full line position of FIG. 2. It will be noted that when said lever 11 is in said operative position that the end 18 of the hook 12 is snugly received in the mouth defined by the lips 9. With this arrangement the lips ice 9 andhook 12 converge in a rearward direction, the abutment portion 9a and the projected end 18 of the hook 12 cooperating to securely lock the loop 13 within the opening.16 against accidental removal or displacement.

Releasably locking the extreme upper end 11a of the lever 11 in its operative position within 'the channel 7 is a generally U-shaped gate element identified in its entirety by the numeral 19, the opposite legs thereof being identilied by 20 and the gate-forming connecting portion by 21.

As shown, the leg portions 20 are pivotally secured between the side walls 3 by means of al pivot pin 22 extending between said walls, said pivot pin 22 being positioned not only forwardly of the upper end 11a of the lever 11 but also immediately therebelow. With this arrangement the gate element 19 is swingable, about the axis of pin 22, fromthe full line position of FIG. 2 wherein the gate portion 21 is vertically disposed immediately rearwardly of the opening 8, so as to lock the lever 11 in its operative position within the channel 7, to the dotted inoperative position, wherein the gate 21 overlies the bracket 1 and permits said lever 11 to assume the dotted line position of FIG. 2. When said lever 11 is moved to said inoperative dotted line position, it will be noted that it projects rearwardly through mouth 10, and hook 12 carried thereby is moved downwardly and forwardly lfrom the lips 9 andabutments 9a formed thereby so as to free the looped end 13 of the tow line 14. l

To facilitate quick movement of the gate 21 from its operative to its inoperative position the gate element 19 is provided with an upstanding actuating arm 23,shown as being in the nature of a longitudinal extension of the gate 21.

Shown as secured to the extreme lower end of the bracket 1 and directing the force exerted by the looped end 13 of the tow line 14 upon the hook 12, in a generally downward direction, is a loop-shaped guide member 24.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects, and while I have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, l wish it to be understood that same may be capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A tow line releasing device comprising:

a a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a towing vehicle and defining a rearwardly opening vertically elongated channel,

(b) laterally extending and spaced opposite edge por tions of said channel having rearwardly curved lower ends defining a mouth,

(c) a generally upright lever formed at its lower end to define a rearwardly projecting tow line loop-receiving hook,

(d) means forwardly of said mouth pivotally mounting the lower end portion of said lever for swinging movements in a vertical plane from an operative position wherein the tip of said hook is received in and between the curved lower ends of the said mouth to retain the tow line in the hook with the upper end of said lever being received within said channel and in an inoperative position wherein said hook is in downwardly and forwardly spaced relation to said mouth with the upper end of said lever projecting generally rearwardly through said mouth,

(e) and means releasts.; locking the upper end of said lever in said operative position and comprising.

(f) a generally U-shaped gate element the opposite legs of which are pivotally secured to said bracket on a horizontal axis rearwardly of and below the upper limits of said lever for pivotal swinging movements of the connectiing portion thereof from a mentioned position, and

y (h) a U-shaped guide member secured to the lower end of the bracket below the hook with the bight of the U located rearwardly of the tip of the hook.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 106,514 8/70 Shipman 144--235.3

11/91 Monroe 24--241 1/93 A Nielsen 24-241 6/93 Sloan 24--232 11/96 Cherry 24-232 1 2/12 .Williams 24--241 7/16 Court 1.----.. 294-83 11/24 Muse 294-83 6/-51 Baron 24-232 FOREIGN 4PATENTS 10/92 Great Britain..

4/21 Switzerland.

i' IlClLEY I. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

